the doubters | virginia beach childrens portraits

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” – Albert Szent-Györgyi

At first, their mamas were excited when I asked if the girls would mind modeling for me. I had a photo shoot idea and thought they’d be a perfect match. Their excitement quickly turned into perplexity — *where* was I taking them? To a flooded strip of forest next to a playground? In the muck? The dresses may get muddy — and wet? Still, these women were such good sports — and so were their girls. I think they let them come along, in part, out of curiosity!

The Hampton Roads area was recently flooded due to a Nor’ Easter. When I took my son to the playground a few days later I noticed a golden patch of light dancing on the flood waters — the autumn leaves bursting in the background. The water was only a few inches deep, but cut like a river through the path. It was magical — and then the light was gone. I knew I wanted to come back — and two days later, we arrived at just the right time. The magic hour. And, the waters hadn’t receded yet.

The quizzical looks (followed by the snickers) of the playground moms and the small crowd that gathered as I shot made me smile:

As artists, we must realize that it’s okay to break convention, to pursue a vision that others don’t see (and never could). To see potential in a group of weeds at sunrise, or a flooded forest path at sunset. Pursue your ideas with gusto and aplomb. Although sometimes you will fail — often, you won’t.

I am grateful for you — my friends and clients (and these mamas) who trust my vision. Who without hesitation, will work in a setting that they don’t understand. I wish the doubters, who looked at the process with disdain and laughter, could see the results. My guess is that their tone would be different.

Stephanie Larsen -These look awesome, Steph! I agree – I wish the other moms at the playground could see these. I love their simple “princess dresses” against the water, and how you caught their complexion and the shades of their hair in the light. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

anna-i would write a defensive manifesto to hand out to the snickering momsters and create t-shirts with these beautiful images to wear to the playground…you? you’re content to do what you do…which is why you are sooooo good…and why these are absolutely to die for.

beautiful post…you are always, always such an inspiration…personally and professionally. i lurv you, steph! :o)ReplyCancel

Chelsey-Beautiful … no room for the haters, the haters mad ’cause I got four seats at the Lakers 😉 … you definitely have more than four seats. Vision is a very good thing.ReplyCancel

crystalyn-wow stephanie…these are amazing. i love your vision. i especially love the first one and the emotion captured there. who am i kidding…i especially love them all. gorgeous.ReplyCancel

tara -I am so with you. Sometimes, it is hard to move beyond the doubters, but I know whenever *I* do it, I am so proud of myself. These are incredible.ReplyCancel

Sarah Wheeler-These are gorgeous Steph, good for you for making your vision a reality. Their mom’s will love these, and as far as the doubters, they’d love them too! xoxoReplyCancel

shawn-WOW WOW WOW. i wish i could find some color like that here! simply beautiful Steph. & great lens baby work!ReplyCancel

wiff-Love it. You couldn’t have said it better. What an awesome (and I use that word sparingly!) image/images.ReplyCancel

elena w-these are fantastic – your vision for these shots is fantastic.
and thank you for sharing your ‘doubters’ experience. I will think of this whenever I will feel weird again, and I will follow through.
It sounds like you did it with style and class and followed through unmoved. it always pays off.ReplyCancel

Karen Linnell-these are just amazing. true art! i need to fight the doubt inside myself. this story has helped me. i would love to see the look on the doubters faces if they saw these images!ReplyCancel

Rena Phillips -Steph, Your work is amazing, the pictures of these girls are breath taking and I am so glad I came to view your new site.Keep
up the beautiful work, I have always been proud of you, but now seeing this makes me that much prouder, you are truly a lovely young wife,wonderful loving mother and have a God given gift to see all His beauty around you.You and your work is a Blessing to all who shares in the work and all those who veiw it.ReplyCancel

Ambre -I have to say that these are excellent. I am not sure if I am just being overly emotional (I should ask my husband about that) or if you actually brought tears to my eyes on the first one. Either way, emotion was there. Being able to evoke that through an image of a stranger makes you extraordinary. I hope that one day I can bring that same emotion to someone through my shots.ReplyCancel